Extensible table



Jan. 30, 1934.

P. A. ARSENAULT EXTENS IBLE TABLE Filed Nov. 22, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l Ni. `\m /N i 's Hh De 1\ #ik l l' @a w l 3% x l OS "l l QN i Il I I l FR Inventar i Pra'ce rau .O\ pg m 5% Jan. 30, 1934. P. A. ARSENAULT EXTENS IBLE TABLE Filed Nov.

22. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor ar'z'ce- A. Arsenaal?? 1 1\ 4+ I I I Jan. 30, 1934.

P. A. ARsAENAULT EXTENSIBLE TABLE Filed Nov. 22. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 30, 1934 l'PATENT OFFICE .1,945,213 EXTENSIBLE TABLE Patrice A. Arsenault, Mexico, Maine Application November 22, 1932 Serial No. 643,938

1 Claim.

This invention relates to the' broad class of furniture and has more specific reference to an extensible table.

Briefly stated, the desired results are accom- 5 plished by providingv a leg supported frame wherein the side rails of the frame are extensibly connected together and especially fashioned to provide storage receptacle or pockets for a ilexible receding top section which is joined to one of the main rigid top sections to operate in conjunction therewith.

More explicitly stated, the novelty is predicated upon a special exible extensible and retractible intermediate top section which is permanently attached to the complemental rigid top section in order that it may be readily moved to and from its useful position.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings:

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a table constructed in accordance with the inventive conception involved herein showing the table collapsed into its normal state.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showingv the table extended, that is, with the intermediate flexible receding section in position for use.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the frame with the top, as a unit, removed.

Figure 4 is a side View of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side View of Figure 2.

Figures 6 and '7 are detail perspective views.

Figures 8 and 9 are transverse sections.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the table top, and particularly through the slatted flexible section thereof.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figure 2, it will be observed that one of the rigid sections of the top is distinguished by the numeral 11 while the companion section is denoted by the numeral 12 and the receding flexible intermediate section by the numeral 13. The latter section is composed of a plurality of transverse abutting slats 14 jointed together by tongue and groove joints to permit relative movement of the slats to allow for extension and retraction.

As seen in Figure 10, the slats are maintained in assembled exible jointed relationship through the medium of flexible tie cords or wires 14, the wires being anchored at one end as indicated at 15 to the top section 12. The opposite end of the wire is provided with a washer 16 cooperable with a coiled cushioning and retention spring 17 located in the socket in the free end slat.

The legs, which may be of any appropriate construction, are denoted by the numerals 18 and are joined together by end barsr 19. As shown in Figures 6 and '7, the side rails are composed of slidably connected sections, one section being denoted by the numeral 20 and the other by the numeral 21. These are formed with complemental grooves 22 and 23 which function as keyways for a key strip 24 which is located in the grooves and permanently fastened to the section 35` 20 in the groove 23. The section 20 is formed with a slot 25 cooperating with a reduced terminal end portion 26 on the section 21. Both of the sections 20 and 21 are provided with bevelled surfaces 27 and 28 formed to match with each 70 other when the table is collapsed as shown in Figures 1 and 4. These bevelled surfaces 27 and 28 form entrance means to the pocket. The pocket is made up of the slot 25 cooperating with the extended terminal 26, thereby forming a keeper for the collapsible and retractible top section 18.

The gist of the invention is in the provision of a leg supported frame embodying the extensible side rails composed of the complemental sections 20 and 21 wherein such sections are formed to define longitudinally elongated pockets for the reception of the longitudinal edge portions of the collapsible extensible and retractible table top section 13. Particular emphasis is 3,5y p laced on the fact that this section 13 is permanently attached to the section 21 so that it functions as a follower. In other words it moves in conjunction with said section 12. The section 13 has two definite positions, namely, the con- 90 cealed retracted or reeding position shown in Figure 5. When in the latter position it takes the place of the table leaves (not shown) which are usually made as separate parts of the table top.

It is evident that the collapsible table top section 13 functions somewhat in the manner of the cover to a roll top desk. By using tongue and groove slats, dependable joints are assured. Also by tying the slats together, a positive rigid assembly is maintained. Moreover, by incorporating the cushioning and shock absorbing springs, said springs compensate for the indefinable relative angling of the slats as they are moved from storage or retracted position to extended using position.

The main idea is in the permanent attachment of the slatted table top section to the relatively movable table top section 12, together with the means underlying the remaining section 11 which 1,10

vas

permits such section 13 to be moved to a concealed, out-of-the-way or retracted position when not in use.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the eld of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

What is claimed is:

A table of the class described comprising two pairs of legs, a pair of side members, each having its outer end connected to a leg of each pair, each side member having a longitudinally eX- tending slot therein adjacent its upper edge and extending from the leg end of the member an appreciable distance toward the other end of the member, said member having a diagonally arranged slot therein extending from its upper edge to the inner end of the first mentioned slot, a pair Vof second side members connected to the opposite legs and each having its inner end part which is in alignment with a sloping wall* of the notch when the two side members are in said mentioned position, the abutting faces of the two sets of side members having grooves therein, a strip located in the grooves and fastened to oneV of the side members, a pair of rigid top sections fastened to the upper edges of the outer end parts of the two sets of side members and extending over the legs, a ilexible section connected to the inner end of one rigid section and adapted to pass through the notches into the 1ongitudinal slots when the table parts are moved toward each other, said exible section moving out of the slots and notches upon the wide portions of those side members which have their inner` end portions reduced, whereby said flexible section will lie between the rigid sections with the top flush with the tops of said rigid sections.

PATRICE A. ARSENAULT. 

